The Genteel and Tropical Gilberto Santa Rosa

Known as El Caballero de la Salsa (the Gentleman of Salsa), Gilberto Santa Rosa brings a different take on tropical salsa and romantic salsa music. He is known worldwide for his improvisational skills. While releasing an average of one new album every year since 1986, Gilberto's live performances are always unique and often legendary.

Schedule

Currently scheduled appearances for the Gentleman of Salsa span the Western Hemisphere. Rosa will perform in New York at the famous Madison Square Garden, then fly over to perform in Panama City, Panama and Cuenca, Ecuador. Rosa will return to the states for a romantic evening in Miami, Florida early next year. His last UK appearance was 2012 in London, making him long overdue for a return.

Trivia

Rosa has become so renowned for his improvisations that after his four minute detour from the standard version of "Perdoname" at Carnegie Hall became popular he had to memorise the changes to use during his live performances. It was such a hit that "Perdoname" became the closing act for all of his future shows. Gilberto has also been declared Puerto Rico's ambassador to Japan.

Bands/Singer

Gilberto Santa Rosa was born in the north eastern city of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Rosa took part in his very first concert as just a teenager way back in 1976. Since then he has appeared with many orchestras carving out his unique sound and performance style. Though he began as a back up singer with the Mario Ortiz Orchestra, he was eventually recruited by LaGrande Orchestra and worked to become the lead singer with that band. He was the first Tropical Salsa singer to perform at the legendary Carnegie Hall. His Carnegie Hall performance was released as live album in October 1995 with an improvised version of Represento composed by Lou Briel.

Breakthrough

Santa Rosa formed his own band in 1986. The Carnegie Hall featuring Perdoname (Forgive Me) was the solidifying moment in Gilberto's career as an improvisational talent and best selling recording artist. In 1996, he released a greatest hits album called Caballero de la Salsa Vol 2. The same year he participated in the first ever Festival Presidente, a Latin music festival in the Dominican Republic sponsored by Presidente beer.

Hit Albums

Santa Rosa signed with Combo records and had a successful career, releasing 25 albums over four decades. Popular albums include De Amor y Salsa (Of Love and Salsa), Good Vibration, Punto de Vista (Point of View), Perspectiva and Vivir Sin Ella (Living Without Her). Gilberto has received many honours, including receiving Billboard's Lo Nuestro Award for Best Male Singer. The live version of his Carnegie Hall appearance became one of the landmarks of his career and best selling albums. En Vivo Desde El Carnegie Hall peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Salsa/Tropical charts in 1995. Since then Gilberto has become accustomed to popular recordings, as of 2010, he held the record for most No. 1 albums on the Billboard Tropical Albums charts.

Show Experience

A Santa Rosa show is made to be unexpected. Though his popularity often finds him playing large venues, Santa Rosa spends much of his time interacting with the crowd and creating a personal more intimate atmosphere punctuated by his spontaneity. It is not unusual for Gilberto to invite fans on stage to sing duets with him of popular songs. Even long term fans won't know what to expect, as Gilberto has a tendency to stray from the original recording for unscripted spur of the moment renditions often times lasting several minutes longer than the standard. As a result of his often infectious vibe, the atmosphere is typically energetic and flamboyant, as would be expected from tropical-style musicians. Every Santa Rosa performance is a tribute to the enduring tradition of tropical salsa music.